ABF stay silent on foreigners found near Maningrida

Another group of foreigners has been found stumbling through the bush in the Top End this week, with the government refusing to comment on the matter.

A group of foreigners have been found near the township of Maningrida. Picture: Natash Emeck

Another group of foreigners has been found stumbling through the bush in the Northern Territory this week, with the government refusing to comment on the matter.

It is understood eight men - including some from China - successfully landed ashore the Top End earlier this week before continuing their venture by foot.

The NT News understands six of the men were discovered on a roadside near Maningrida in West Arnhemland on Tuesday, waving down a vehicle for help.

On Wednesday, a further two foreigners were picked up by Aboriginal rangers, who provided food and shelter to the desperate group.

Australian Border Force officers were dispatched to the township and now have responsibility for the foreigners.

It is understood NT Police also helped in supervising the group.

In November, a group of Chinese asylum seekers were found on Croker Island.

The shock find is the latest discovery of foreigners trekking through the NT bush, with separate groups of Chinese men also found by locals last year.

Last month, a helicopter pilot found another group of foreigners stranded on a beach.

An ABF spokesman declined to comment on the latest arrival.

“The Australian Border Force does not comment on or confirm operational matters.”

Shadow Home Affairs spokesman Andrew Hastie criticised the situation. Picture: Martin Ollman

On Friday afternoon, Shadow Home Affairs Minister Andrew Hastie said the situation was an example of “underinvestment in our border security and defence capabilities”.

“We should have unblinking surveillance on our northern approaches, but instead we have illegal boats penetrating our borders and people making it ashore,” he said.

“This signals weakness to the people smugglers that business is back on under Labor.”

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke declined to comment on the interception, but hit back at his opposite.

“Two days into the job and Mr Hastie is already providing talking points that will be used by criminal people smugglers.”

Ranger groups have been contributing to the interception of both illegal fishing boats (pictured) and asylum seeking groups. Picture: Supplied

At the local level, a Northern Land Council spokesperson told this publication federal bodies were now in control of the situation.

“We believe this specific matter is being investigated by the relevant authorities,” they said.

“The Australian Border Force have built and continue to build a strong partnership with Top End Ranger groups to tackle this issue.”

The spokesperson said the discovery underscored the need to sufficiently fund ranger groups.

“Our ranger groups are the eyes and ears on the ground of this issue, which is why it is critical they are funded properly to do their job,” they said.

“Recent cuts made by the Northern Territory Government to the Aboriginal Ranger Grants will only hurt their ability to do this important work.

“We call on the NT Government to think seriously about these cuts and what it means for border protection.”

Originally published as ABF stay silent on foreigners found near Maningrida